By Mike Sloan. While most were expecting local contender Jessie Vargas to walk out of the Texas Station Casino with the victory, it’s questionable as to how many expected the fight to unfold the way it did. Sure, Vargas was the winner via lopsided unanimous decision, but the main event of the Azteca America-televised bout was not pretty.

Vito Gasparyan (14-3-5) displayed one of the
sturdiest chins in recent memory as he ate dozens of clean, hard shots
throughout the contest. On top of that, he also absorbed many a punch to
the groin. Vargas pummeled Gasparyan’s body but too often he strayed
below the belt and had a point taken away in the eighth round.

Vargas utilized solid movement to coincide with his trademark
relentless attack, but he simply couldn’t budge the resilient Armenian
until a vicious uppercut broke through in the ninth. The punch wobbled
Gasparyan, but he was able to hang on until the frame ended and, in
essence, until the final bell.

Even with the penalty, Vargas (21-0) cleaned up the slate with a near
shutout performance as the three judges favored him with scores of
98-91 (twice) and 98-90.